Navigating Family Leave in Cardiothoracic Surgery Training

Background: Cardiothoracic surgery (CTS) training may coincide with family needs including pregnancy, illness, birth/adoption/fostering of a child, and care for family members. Certifying bodies set requirements and limits on family leave, complicating the navigation of family needs during training. Our goal is to examine policies of medical boards and their alignment with the 2022 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education policy and to develop a practical tool to help trainees and program directors navigate family leave. Methods: A literature review was conducted with PubMed of publications published from July 2022 to September 2024 focusing on family leave within surgical specialties. This study reviews family leave policies, requirements, and benefits of certifying bodies. Data from the American Association of Medical Colleges, American Boards of Surgery and Thoracic Surgery, and Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education were analyzed to understand gender distribution and policy variations between surgical specialties. Results: There was no publication discussing family leave in CTS. Of 40 reviewed publications, 12 concluded that parental leave policies are unclear or insufficient. Publications were found to focus on perspectives and experiences but to lack actionable solutions. Family leave policies vary, with inconsistencies in duration and flexibility. The duration of leave was not linked with gender representation in specialty. Conclusions: Comprehensive family leave policies are needed to assist programs and trainees in navigating family leave in CTS.